Page 28 of Jacob

“You think you’ll find them?”Tony asked.

“I hope so.I was shocked yesterday, so I didn’t think much of it, but I saw how thin the panda was.They need help, and I want them to have that help.”

Tony nodded.“I agree.We should’ve tried talking to them yesterday.I hope nothing happened to them in the meantime.”

“We don’t know if they’re dangerous.They might not have taken it well if we’d tried talking to them yesterday.”

Tony quickly glanced at Jacob.“You and I went looking for the panda yesterday morning.Wouldn’t that have been dangerous, too?It was only the two of us.”

“It could have been.”

Tony shook his head, but he was smiling.“I understand your instinct to protect me, but please remember that I was in the military, and I’m the sheriff.I can defend myself.”

“From a panda shifter?”

“Probably not if an actual panda were to attack me, but they’re not just a panda.They’re a shifter, and they can be reasoned with.”

“Hopefully.”But no one knew what this panda had gone through.They might shift back as soon as they realized that Jacob and the others were there to talk to them, but there might be something wrong with them.Jacob wanted Tony to be there because it was Tony’s job, and he was eager to do it, but at the same time, he was worried.

What if he couldn’t protect his mate?What if something happened?

“You won’t be the only shifter there,” Tony said as if he could read Jacob’s mind.“Don’t obsess over whether or not you’ll be able to protect me.Think about yourself and the panda shifter.I can take care of myself.”

Jacob nodded because it was the only thing he could do.Tony was telling him to trust him, and Jacob had to.It wouldn’t be easy, but Jacob wanted their relationship to work, and this was important to Tony.

They were the first to arrive at the spot where they’d seen the panda yesterday.As soon as he got out of the car, Jacob started stripping.He wanted to talk to his mate, but he wanted to be in his tiger form more in case the panda was still around.It would be easier for him to defend Tony if he had claws and fangs.

Tony huffed, but he didn’t say anything as Jacob dropped his clothes into the car and shifted.He shook out his fur, then sniffed the air to make sure the panda wasn’t close by.They weren’t, but their trail was strong, and Jacob was positive he’d be able to find them today.

He walked around the car toward Tony, who was leaning against the driver’s door and watching the forest.He laughed when Jacob bumped his forehead against his leg, and he reached down to scratch between Jacob’s ears.

“You’re very impressive, but deep inside, you’re a kitty, aren’t you?”he asked.

Taylor would be laughing his ass off if he were there, but he wasn’t, and Jacob took advantage of that.He rubbed his face against Tony’s pants, drenching himself in his mate’s scent.Everyone who would be with them today already knew that Tony belonged with Jacob, but the panda shifter didn’t.This way, they would know, and hopefully, they’d think twice about hurting Tony.

Tony continued petting Jacob as they waited for the others.Their cars arrived minutes later, but Tony stayed where he was until a shifted Taylor came to bat at his tail.When Taylor did, Jacob hissed and turned around, swiping his paw at his friend’s face.

“Children,” Gal said.

He didn’t shift.He’d left Liam at home, and he would shift if there was any need for him to, but for now, he’d stay in his human form so he could talk to the panda shifter when they found them.He was a bear shifter, and hopefully, that would help the panda trust him.

Taylor swiped at Jacob’s face with his paw one last time, then jumped away and went to stand next to Gal.The alpha looked at the sky as if wondering what he’d done to deserve this, but he had everyone’s attention now.

He turned to Jacob.“Ready?”

Jacob showed the alpha his teeth.He was ready for this mess to be over.He wanted the panda found and helped so he could focus on his mate and decide what kind of job he could do after working pride security for so long.He wanted the people who lived in Green Hill to feel safe again and not have to worry about personal items getting stolen.

It was time to find the panda and put an end to their blankets and pie-stealing ways.

* * * *

TONY FOLLOWED THE SHIFTERSinto the forest.He was glad he wasn’t the only one in human form and that Gal would be walking with him.It was a bit awkward to follow a bunch of shifters without being able to talk to them or help them in any way.

Not that there was much Tony could do until they found the panda and understood what was going on.He was glad it would be over soon, though.The panda would be safe once they were with the pride, and they’d have everything they needed.Tony and Taylor would get fewer reports about personal items disappearing from yards, and the town could return to its peaceful ways.Tony was sure that something else would happen eventually, but in the meantime, he’d be able to focus on Jacob and their relationship.

He had a backpack on his shoulders that was filled with food, blankets, and clothes.They didn’t know what state the panda would be in when they found them, but considering everything, there was a good chance that what Tony was carrying would be needed.Even if the panda refused to shift back to their human form, they’d want food.

“How are you feeling this morning, Sheriff?”Gal asked as they walked.

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